Name of Observer: Becky Bolte
Observed Meeting: Oak Harbor School Board Date of Meeting: 10/30/2023 Members present: Lynn Goebel, Bob Hallahan, Nicole Tesch, Sharon Jensen, Josiah Villano, Student Board Member, Maggie Litvachuk, Student Board Member Members absent: Others present (staff, media, public): Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula, Asst Superintendent Dwight Lundstrom Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting: 3.01 Construction update Presentation by CSG (Construction Services Group). They are non-profit and part of Educational Services District 112. Represented by Heidi Hansen, Assoc. Director, and Tex Ladish and Ken Kuiken, Construction Managers. They will be doing project management, construction management, financial tracking, grant coordination, furniture. Projects are Crescent Harbor Elementary & Hand-in-Hand. Work includes ongoing design, property survey, geotechnical exploration, traffic impact analysis, inventory of items to be reused, coordination with city and county. Both properties are on Navy land. Funded through grants – 80% federal, 20% state, no local funding. Both projects are over budget at Schematic Design Phase, and the Design team has already reduced costs and formal value engineering is in progress. Begin construction: CHE and HiH – June 2024 CHE Move-in - December 2025 HiH Move-in – March 2026 4.01 Student representative Report & Goals 1. Sustainability – lead a workgroup to identify sustainability goals 2. Land acknowledgement – research Native tribes that inhabited Oak Harbor, write a statement for Oak Harbor schools 3. Communication – weekly reports 4.02 Visitors. Cary Wade – had to resign as Paraeducator because she didn’t make enough money. Asked Board to get creative and look for more ways to fund paraeducators’ wages. 5.01 Superintendent’s report - Reviewed template for Board members to track Superintendent’s goal. 7.01 Athletics and activities report - Presented by Athletic Director Fleury, 46% of the student body is involved in athletics. There are 650 single sport athletes. 9.01 Board policy updates first reading - Asst. Superintendent Lundstrom listed and reviewed several policies – essential, encouraged, discretionary, etc. 12.01 Board goal updates are posted on the school district website. 13.01 Upcoming meetings –regular board meetings -Nov 13 and 27 at 6 pm, Board study session for new board members – Dec. 11, Legislative forum December 15 at 3 p.m. List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: (League positions can be found here. Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? N/A If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Yes Were any non-agenda items discussed? No Was there adequate discussion of issues? Yes Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes Was background material available to the public? Yes- agenda and previous meeting minutes Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No If yes, for what reason? List any other concerns or observations: Observer E-mail: bbolte@comcast.net Date submitted: 10/31/23
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Name of Observer: Jane Ficalora
Observed Meeting: Langley City Council Date of Meeting: 10/16/2023 Members present: Harolynne Bobis, Rhonda Salerno, Thomas Gill, Craig Cyr, Gail Fleming Members absent: none Others present (staff, media, public): Mayor: Scott Chaplin, Interim Archives and Records Manager: Kristen Abraham, City Administrator/Clerk: Mark Rentfrow, Director of Public Works: Randi Perry, Chief of Police: Tavier Wasser and Finance Director: Wanda Grone Members of public in person and on zoom are not shown unless they make a comment. Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting: • At public comment period a business owner and a longtime resident voiced concerns about changes the projected affordable housing development would have to the fairgrounds. They expressed a love of the fair as it has been for many years and not wanting to see future development cause any disruptive changes. • The mayor's report included news of the city receiving six proposals for solar plus storage. Mayor Chaplin mentioned that decentralization of power has been an idea developing for about 30 years and microgrids are starting to be used in reservations and other cities. The mayor also reported he had received a request from a national organization to sign a pledge to reject new or renewed expansion of fossil fueled infrastructure. Chaplin did not think the wording of the pledge was suitable to the city of Langley. He suggested sending the pledge to the Climate Crisis Action Commission for the creation of a similar pledge specific to Langley. • Public Works Director Randi Perry's report included that Langley has been selected to participate in EPA's Creating Resilient Water Utilities Initiative. The program includes free technical assistance and is scheduled to begin mid 2024. The director was happy to report progress on the Bluff management plans with a kickoff meeting on 10/4 and completion of onsite visits and drone flights on 10/11. Also noted was the Langley Infrastructure Project's planning and funding options. Council members voiced desire to be included in the work of Public Works Advisory and Finance and Personnel Legislative Commission's progress on this very extensive project. List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: (League positions can be found here. Fair & Adequate Revenue Energy Shorelines, Wetlands & Land Use Water & Rivers Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? No If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? All in attendance were given time to speak and ask questions. The meeting was conducted in an orderly and civil manner. Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Yes Were any non-agenda items discussed? No Was there adequate discussion of issues? Yes Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes Was background material available to the public? Yes Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No If yes, for what reason? List any other concerns or observations: Observer E-mail: jrfic@yahoo.com Date submitted: 10/21/2023 Name of Observer: Jane Ficalora
Observed Meeting: Langley City Council Date of Meeting: 10/2/2023 Members present: Harolynne Bobis, Rhonda Salerno, Thomas Gill, Craig Cyr, Gail Fleming Members absent: none Others present (staff, media, public): Mayor: Scott Chaplin, Interim Archives and Records Manager: Kristen Abraham, City Administrator/Clerk: Mark Rentfrow, Planning Director: Meredith Penny, Director of Public Works: Randi Perry, Chief of Police: Tavier Wasser, Planning Advisory Board Chair Greg Easton and Planning Advisory Board former member Rose Hughes Members of public in person and on zoom are not shown unless they make a comment. Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting: • At public comment period a representative of the Chamber of Commerce stated that the chamber will be having a candidate forum Oct 11th at 5:30 at The Braeburn Restaurant • Planning Advisory Board Chair Greg Easton and Rose Hughes reported and made recommendations on inclusionary zoning requirement in the city's Multifamily Infill Overlay. Since receiving a 2021 grant Langley has been looking at whether or not to make inclusionary zoning mandatory or voluntary. The factors of private versus non-profit developers and the needs, long-term goals, and growth potential of Langley all factor into the decision making. Council member Salerno made a motion to restart a Housing Affordability committee to look at getting non-profits to help with development. Council member Cyr made amendment to start a committee after the new year and the motion passed. • Planning Director Penny asked for approval of amended contract with The Watershed Company. Council voted unanimously to approve. • Administrator/Clerk Rentfrow reported that the Washington State Attorney General has posted open government training online. Council member Gill mentioned by law that newly elected officials need to take training within a certain number of days in office. List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: (League positions can be found here. Democracy: Elections, Voting Rights & Campaign Finance Fair & Adequate Revenue Water &Rivers Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? No If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? All in attendance were given time to speak and ask questions. The meeting was conducted in an orderly and civil manner. Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Yes Were any non-agenda items discussed? No Was there adequate discussion of issues? Yes Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes Was background material available to the public? Yes Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No If yes, for what reason? List any other concerns or observations: Observer E-mail: jrfic@yahoo.com Date submitted: 10/6/2023 Name of Observer: Robin Porter
Observed Meeting: South Whidbey School Board Date of Meeting: Sept. 27, 2023 Members present: Directors Andrea Downs, Joe Greenheron, Marnie Jackson, Ann Johnson, Brook Willeford, Superintendent Jo Moccia, Student Members Katya Schiavone and Carter McKnight, Principals John Patton, Kayla Phillips, and Susie Richards, Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman, and Communications Director Kristina Macarro. Members absent: None Others present (staff, media, public): Rose Hughes, Goosefoot Finance Director (Islandrootshousing.org) Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting: Rose Hughs of the nonprofit organization – Goosefoot – made a presentation to the board regarding the Island Roots Housing project in Langley. This project is planned to construct 14 affordable housing units in Langley. School board members stated that affordable housing is a “major concern” for school staff, as SWSD has lost teachers due to the lack of affordable housing within the South Whidbey community. SWSD is one of the top three employers in the South Whidbey community. Currently, the project is in the “preconstruction phase,” Hughs said. The project is being financed by the WA State Housing Trust Fund and a grant from Island County. Estimated rent/cost of a two-bedroom unit will be $1,504. This is based on a HUD formula that estimates 80% of the Island County median income. A community workshop was held in August in which 73 participated. Public survey results may be viewed at islandrootshousing.org English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GoosefootHousing Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/GoosefootHousingESP A collective bargaining agreement was reached between SWSB and the two unions which represent school staff: SEIU and PSE. Both memorandums passed, though one board member abstained as he stated he had not yet seen the final contract. The new contract included “a wage increase of .3% and a retention bonus for one year only,” according to SWSD Superintendent Jo Moccia. SWSB Assistant Superintendent Dan Poolman presented the monthly finance report: Fund Balances Summary Fund 8/31/23 General Fund $ 5,100,001.34 Capital Projects Fund $1,978,709.90 Debt Service Fund $ 1491.76 Associated Student Body Fund $ 81,150.43 Transportation Fund $679,034.32 Private Purpose Trust Fund $ 806,239.33 Enrollment Summary FTE Budget for 23-24 Sept 2023 Sept 2023 YTD Avg Enrollment 1,106.00 1,106.29 1,106.29 1,106.29 He reports that the property taxes are “basically flat,” and that the state funding is based on FTE. An unexpected expense, Poolman said, was the repair of a septic system. The charging station to be used by the SWSD’s electric bus has arrived. The District expects to soon receive the new bus. A 10-year facilities study, required by WA state, was authorized by the board. The contract is with the Integrus company for $87,720 to cover the whole 10-year span. Integrus is the architectural firm that has done recent preliminary work for SWSD. A new “Transition to Kindergarten” program began this school year with 16 students. This is a program which prepares students for Kindergarten entry in the upcoming school year. Students must meet specific criteria to qualify for the program. Currently it has reached full capacity. List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: (League positions can be found here. Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? No If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend? NA Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner? Yes Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Yes Were any non-agenda items discussed? No Was there adequate discussion of issues? Yes Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No Was there adequate opportunity for public input? No, members of the public requested time to address the School Board at the meeting. Was background material available to the public? Yes Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No If yes, for what reason? NA List any other concerns or observations: NA Observer E-mail: rbnporter81@gmail.com Date submitted: Sept. 29, 2023 |
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